Portrait of the Wildebeest, the Emblematic Animal of the Great Migration
It is known for participating in one of the greatest animal migrations in the world: the wildebeest, of course! This herbivorous ruminant that moves with the rhythm of the seasons to find food and water is one of the emblematic animals to see on a safari in Tanzania.
It is known for participating in one of the greatest animal migrations in the world: the wildebeest, of course! This herbivorous ruminant that moves with the rhythm of the seasons to find food and water is one of the emblematic animals to see on a safari in Tanzanie. What is its lifestyle like? What does it look like? Where can you see the wildebeest during the different stages of migration in Tanzanie and Kenya? We tell you everything you need to know about the wildebeest!
What is a Wildebeest?
Wildebeest are ruminant mammals of the genus Connochaetes belonging to the family Bovidae. The female wildebeest is called a "cow" while the young is named a "calf."
Is the Wildebeest Part of the Antelope Family?
The wildebeest is part of the subfamily Alcelaphinae, the same as antelopes. As explained by the Larousse dictionary:
"Wildebeest are classified among the antelopes, alongside hartebeest and topi, with which they constitute the subfamily Alcelaphinae, or large antelopes with long, narrow heads that inhabit bushy grasslands and savannas."
What Are the Different Species of Wildebeest?
There are two species of wildebeest found throughout the world:
- The blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus): also called the black-tailed wildebeest or common wildebeest, it is the most widespread type of wildebeest in Africa;
- The black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou): also known as the white-tailed wildebeest, it is found in the wild essentially in South Africa.
The name wildebeest is said to come from the Khoikhoi language word "t'gnu" or "gnoe." It is an onomatopoeia, that is, a word imitating the characteristic bellow emitted by the animal. The term was adopted by European settlers before being spread in several languages in the form of "wildebeest" or "gnu."
Where Are Wildebeest Found in Africa?
In general, wildebeest live in grassy plains and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa, where grass is abundant. As mentioned, there are two species of wildebeest in Africa that do not live in the same places:
- the blue wildebeest is found mainly in certain countries of East Africa and Southern Africa, namely: Kenya, Tanzanie, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa.
- the black wildebeest is found only in South Africa as well as in Lesotho and in certain regions of Eswatini.
How to Identify a Wildebeest?
It is easy to recognize a wildebeest because of its distinctive morphology that sets it apart from other antelopes.
Indeed, the wildebeest has a rather lean body with relatively thin legs, high shoulders and a heavy, powerful head that give it a robust appearance. The contrast between its thin legs and powerful torso gives it a distinctive morphology that allows it to reach high speeds and cover long distances: it can reach 80, even 100 km/h at top speed and moves at an average of 40 km/h when traversing long distances.
The wildebeest (all species combined) weighs between 150 and 290 kg for males and between 110 and 220 kg for females. Their height at the shoulder ranges from 1 m to 1.50 m. They have horns, both males and females, whose curved shape allows them to defend themselves against rivals and predators. They have a wide, flattened muzzle that allows them to ingest large quantities of grass.
As for the wildebeest's coat, it varies from bluish-gray to dark brown depending on the species and individuals. Wildebeest have a mane and a bushy tail resembling that of a horse, but whose colors differ depending on the species.
How to Differentiate Between a Black Wildebeest and a Blue Wildebeest?
The main differences between the black wildebeest and the blue wildebeest are in their size, horns and coat color:
- The black wildebeest has a thicker chocolate-brown coat than its cousin, a white tail (hence its nickname of white-tailed wildebeest) as well as a whitish and black mane at the tip that stands on the spine unlike that of the blue wildebeest which hangs down. It has a smaller physique than the blue wildebeest and has horns curved upward.
- The blue wildebeest is more imposing and stands out with a brown or slate-gray coat with blue tones, a dark head and shoulders striped with darker lines. It has a black tail (hence its nickname of black-tailed wildebeest) as well as a dark, short mane on its spine. As for its horns, they are flattened and curved in a parenthesis shape.
What Do Wildebeest Eat?
The wildebeest is a ruminant that follows a strictly herbivorous diet. Indeed, the wildebeest spends most of its time grazing the grasses of African savannas and grasslands. It feeds mainly on grasses, but also on shrub and bush leaves and grasses.
To do this, it cuts plants and grasses with its teeth without pulling them out and ingests them whole (without chewing). Its digestive system, based on fermentation in the rumen, allows it to efficiently extract nutrients from plants and ingest large quantities of grass.
The wildebeest tends to drink water daily, taking advantage of water whenever possible. This is why they are often found near watercourses during wildlife safaris. However, during periods of drought and migration, it is capable of going without water for 5 days, finding sources of hydration in the fresh grasses it consumes.
Why Do Wildebeest Migrate?
Because they are herbivores, wildebeest are dependent on vegetation and seasons. During the rainy season, herds tend to disperse across expanses of savanna. But when drought causes food sources and water points to disappear, the wildebeest is forced to move to find new grazing areas. This is how one of the most spectacular natural phenomena on the planet occurs: the great migration.
Each year, several thousand wildebeest (up to 1.5 million individuals) gather and travel up the Ngorongoro region and the plains of the Serengeti National Park in Tanzanie to the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya before retracing their steps at the end of the season. Wildebeest travel approximately 1,500 km one way and the same on the return, for a total round-trip distance of 3,000 km.
They are accompanied by other animals, such as zebras (approximately 200,000 individuals) and gazelles (approximately 400,000 individuals), which allow them to benefit from and provide greater collective vigilance against the multiple dangers that beset the journey...
When and Where to See Wildebeest During the Great Migration in Tanzanie?
To try to see wildebeest during the great migration in Tanzanie, you must first familiarize yourself with the different stages that dictate their migratory route:
- From January to March: at this time, wildebeest are found at the far south of Serengeti Park and in the Ndutu Zone within the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. It is also the season for wildebeest births: it is estimated that approximately 500,000 calves are born at this time.
- From March to June: as rains become increasingly rare, herds of wildebeest begin their migration, gradually moving through the Western corridor of Serengeti toward the north near Lake Victoria and the Grumeti River.
- From June to October: having reached the far north of Serengeti, wildebeest are forced to cross the Mara River, at the border with Kenya, to reach the Masai Mara National Reserve. Infested with crocodiles, crossing the river is a crucial stage of the great migration since many animals lose their lives there...
- From October to December: wildebeest enjoy a few weeks of abundant grass in the Masai Mara meadows before turning back and returning to Tanzanie. Note that these are approximate periods and the great migration is a natural phenomenon dictated by climate. Furthermore, it is impossible to predict the exact dates of the great migration.
How Do Wildebeest Reproduce?
The breeding period of wildebeest, also called the rut, lasts 2 to 3 weeks between May and June. At this time, males fight each other to attract females. Although displays of strength can be impressive (with horn blows and charges), wildebeest do not fight to the death. Generally, fights end without injury, by the surrender of the dominated male.
Once the fight is won, the victorious male can mate with dozens of females. The gestation then lasts 8 months before the cow gives birth.
The birth season therefore takes place between January and March. Births occur in the southern plains of Serengeti where females have adopted a strategy to ensure the survival of the species: give birth at the same time in the open. This synchronization of births allows them to overwhelm predators with a large number of potential prey, increasing the chances of survival for newborns. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 baby wildebeest are born in three weeks, or about 24,000 per day!
Once rid of the placenta, the young wildebeest is quick to become autonomous: 7 minutes after birth, it is already standing and 24 hours after coming into the world, it is already running alongside its mother, with whom it will remain for about 9 months to a year before gaining independence.
What Are the Predators of Wildebeest?
Wildebeest have many predators: they are prey for lions, hyenas, African wild dogs, leopards, cheetahs, vultures, jackals and crocodiles (during the fearsome crossing of the Mara River). Sick individuals, the elderly and calves are the most vulnerable: it is estimated that only one out of six calves survives to one year of age.
What Is the Lifespan of a Wildebeest?
The life expectancy of wildebeest is between 15 and 20 years in the wild and up to 40 years in captivity.
Is the Wildebeest Threatened?
The wildebeest is listed in the "Least Concern" category on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Today, although its populations are stable, the king of migration still faces many threats, notably the reduction of its habitat due to human construction projects such as the multiplication of residential areas, roads and railways, livestock and agricultural plots.
A recent study, published in 2024 in the journal Nature, has even demonstrated that all human disruptions can slow the migratory route and have genetic consequences for the long-term survival of animals.
However, as The Conversation explains, which reports the results of the study:
"It is not only wildebeest that are threatened when we prevent them from migrating, but also many other species. Wildebeest grazing maintains healthy vegetation and distributes nutrients. Wildebeest also serve as preyfor predators, as carrion for scavengers and their droppings sustain millions of amphibians."
Are you dreaming of seeing the great migration during your stay? Discover our special circuit for the great wildebeest migration in Tanzanie.
To go further, discover all our articles related to safaris and animals in Tanzanie:
- 6 national parks where you can admire the most beautiful animals
- The Big Five: Everything you need to know about the emblematic animals of safaris
- The most beautiful safaris in Northern Tanzanie
- The most beautiful safaris in Southern Tanzanie
- When to go on a safari in Tanzanie?
Florine Dergelet
